From Peter Asher, Malibu, California, US
You report that arm heaters that keep hands warm without gloves are being developed by the US Army (18 January, p 14). Let me assure the researchers that there is a large non-military community to whom this invention would be of incalculable benefit: musicians.
At any outdoor gig in cool weather – or even in TV studios that keep the temperature low – one sees multiple hand-warming devices and much rubbing and blowing of hands among the band or orchestra.
I don’t know of a single colleague who wouldn’t welcome the proposed arm-warming device with great enthusiasm. You quote a reduction of dexterity loss by 50 per cent and of finger-strength loss by 90 per cent in those wearing it. Whatever instrument one plays, that would make a gigantic difference to the performer and thus to the quality of the music.
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